Our students have opened up exciting academic and employment opportunities by achieving some great GCSE results.

Alexandra Krzsowska is a step closer to her dream of studying law at university after gaining a grade 5 in her English resit.

Alexandra, who wants to ultimately work as a solicitor, said: “This means I can pursue my dream and hopefully get into a good uni.

“The college has been great and I had so much support along the way.”

She now aims to study A levels in politics, English literature and philosophy to gain the qualifications she needs to progress to university.

English success for Kaiden – with some family help

Also among those celebrating this year was Kaiden Finfinger, who has passed his English GCSE (with a grade 4).

The result means Kaiden, who is dyslexic, can progress to his Level 2 Electrical course. His success is in part thanks to the support of his grandmother, Sherley, who came to the college last year to sit her English GCSE so she could help him revise.

English teacher, Seona McLinden, said she was delighted to see all of Kaiden’s hard work pay off.

Family support was also important to Will Winterburn, who achieved a grade 4 pass, too.

Will’s mum, Denise, studied and passed her English GCSE with us last year which inspired her son.

He credits the one to one sessions he had with his teacher, Seona, and all of the focused classroom work for helping him get the result.

University place secured

Adult learners, like Krystian Odwrocki, were also finding out how they had fared on Thursday 21 August.

Krystian studied physiotherapy in Poland ten years ago, before he moved to the UK.

He recently decided to go back to college, and has just achieved a grade 5 in English, plus Distinctions in his Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions).

Delighted with those results, which were achieved despite the challenges of studying in his second language, he has secured a place at the University of Huddersfield.

Krystian’s ultimate aim is to forge a career in the NHS.

‘Miles better than school’

Creative Media student Liam Pinchen, meanwhile, was full of praise for college life as he reflected on his grade 5 English result.

Liam faced some additional challenges this year but was determined to put in extra effort to prepare for his exams.

He said: “College has been miles better than school. School only cared about attendance, whereas college has been a lot more supportive and understanding.”

Praise for ‘amazing’ and supportive college

For 17-year-old Connor Williams-Husband, the day was all about making progress – and that’s exactly what he did in his maths and English resits, achieving a grade 3 and grade 4, respectively.

He said: “The college was amazing, I met a lot of new people.

“The teachers helped when they could and if I didn’t understand they were there to help. I feel very proud of myself and how the results turned out.”

The same was true for Joshua Spence, who improved his English from a grade 3 to a grade 5. Joshua credited his ‘amazing’ teacher, plus the tailored support he received, for making the difference.

Higher education in sight for Francine

Francine Farias Pozzi was very happily surprised with the grade 5s she achieved in English and maths.

Francine, who moved to the UK from Brazil a few years ago, has loved her time with us and says the college’s style of teaching has really suited her.

She is planning to come back to us to do an Access to HE course, and potentially very soon once her son, Milo, starts school.

There was plenty of excitement at Harrogate College as our Level 3 vocational learners collected their results on Thursday 14 August.

The hard work and dedication of our students has paid off, with many securing top grades and preparing to take their next steps into university and the world of work.

Triple Distinctions for Business student

Among those delighted was Mansoor Dawoodzai, who achieved a Triple Distinction on the Level 3 Extended Business Diploma.

Mansoor said: “I’m feeling proud that all the hard work paid off. Next, I’m planning to go to university to study Business and Management.

“The course was good – I had teachers who supported me with my work, gave advice, and encouraged me to keep going. The support at college has been great and helped my confidence grow.

“If I had to describe Harrogate College in three words, I’d say: supportive, friendly and inspiring.”

Exploring new opportunities

Fellow Business student Jodie Parry also secured an impressive Triple Distinction on her Extended Diploma.

She said: “I’m feeling absolutely over the moon. I’m off to Sheffield Hallam University in September.

“The course was a rollercoaster – a few units were really interesting and a few were okay – but I always had my tutors supporting me and pushing me when I really needed it.”

“Keep your mind open and never close a door to one option. You’re always able to change your mind and staff are so supportive”

Looking to the future

With results now in, both Mansoor and Jodie are excited to take their next steps into higher education, where they’ll build on the strong foundation they developed at Harrogate College.

Principal Danny Wild said:

“We are so proud of our students for their hard work and achievements. These results reflect their commitment and the support of our staff, with all now progressing into university, apprenticeships and employment. We wish them every success in the future.”

Harrogate College has secured planning permission from the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee to proceed with a £22 million campus rebuild. The plans were passed unopposed by councillors.

In addition to a new state-of-the-art main campus building, the planned facilities also include a renewable energy technology centre. Harrogate College is undertaking this rebuild to strengthen its ability to offer cutting-edge courses in priority growth sectors for Harrogate and the wider North Yorkshire region, including advanced manufacturing, low carbon construction, retrofit, sustainable energy, health science, and hospitality. 

The improved facilities that learners will benefit from include a mock hospital ward, a digital technology suite, an electric vehicle workshop, and a construction centre focused on modern building methods. 

Harrogate College are now awaiting written confirmation from the council before commencing the project.

Harrogate College’s Principal, Danny Wild, said: “It is immensely pleasing to have now secured planning permission to pursue this forward-looking, innovative and value for money investment into Harrogate’s educational infrastructure.

We are now awaiting written confirmation from the local authority to proceed with Harrogate College’s rebuild.

The new campus will enable increased breadth and quality within the curriculum on offer at the college, allowing us to better support local and regional skills needs. As the only general further education college in the area, I’m excited to see the benefits these new facilities will bring local young people, adults and the economy.” 

Primarily funded through £20m secured from the Department for Education, the project signals the Government’s recognition of the need for investment to improve further education provision in the local area. The additional £2m has been sourced through Luminate Education Group, of which Harrogate College is a member. 

Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee’s decision to grant approval for the rebuild follows a protracted legal challenge caused by the launch of a judicial review that delayed the project.  

During this delay, the project received high profile support from both the local MP and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire. Each made strong representations to the Department for Education to ensure the project’s funding remained available. 

Tom Gordon, Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said: “The Harrogate College rebuild represents an important opportunity to provide more young people with access to skills and training, while helping to build a workforce that meets the needs of local employers. As the town’s only general further education college, it has a key role in our community’s long-term future. Since my election, I’ve worked hard to push the Government to follow through with the funding commitment made by the previous government. This redevelopment will strengthen our local economy and open up more opportunities for people to gain the training they need to succeed.”

The key reason behind rebuilding Harrogate College’s current main building, which is an old office block that was never intended for educational purposes, is to meet growing student demand through closer alignment of the college’s curriculum with regional economic growth areas.

At present, there is significant unusable teaching space within the current building, which the college is now outgrowing. The new campus aims to better meet student demand for courses, with new purpose built buildings allowing for an overall growth in the number of learners at the college.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Everyone in our region should have the chance to thrive – that means connecting our communities to the opportunities that matter. Harrogate College’s redevelopment marks a big investment for the future of our region, giving people the skills and training needed for tomorrow’s jobs and helping our local economy grow.”

Construction is due to begin on the rebuild in the coming months, with the new buildings set to open their doors to students in the 2026 academic year. 

Turning Passion into Practice

Two entrepreneurial Level 3 Business students at Harrogate College, Theo Eastment and Noah Eardley, recently showcased their event management skills by organising a successful Supercar Show in Bingley. This event formed part of their compulsory Event Management unit, which challenges students to plan, deliver and evaluate a live event as part of their coursework.

Hailing from Ilkley, Theo and Noah chose to build on the success of a similar event they hosted in 2024. By replicating their tried-and-tested formula, they were able to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world setting – while indulging their shared love of cars.

Driven by Passion and Purpose

Theo explained their motivation:

“We started doing these events because we have a passion for cars and have always loved attending supercar shows. We thought – why not host our own, in our own way? We want to pursue this in the future because we believe it’s important to enjoy what you do for work.”

“For us, working with cars has always been the dream. We also see a lot of growth potential in this industry and believe we can build a successful business around it.”

Events That Make an Impact

Their most recent event took place on Sunday 11 May in Bingley and attracted around 500 visitors. Their debut event in Ilkley drew in over 1,000 attendees – demonstrating strong demand and a growing following. Importantly, both shows were more than just displays of horsepower and luxury; they raised funds for local charities including Ilkley Food Bank and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

In addition to ticket sales and donations, the students secured paid sponsorships from partners within the automotive industry, boosting revenue and increasing the professional standard of their shows.

Learning in Action

The practical experience has offered Theo and Noah invaluable lessons in planning, promotion, logistics, stakeholder management and budgeting – skills central to both their college course and future careers.

“We were actually inspired to organise our first show during the Harrogate College Open Day,” said Theo. “When Rosemary, our tutor, mentioned the event management unit, we decided to put together a show that summer, right after our GCSEs.”

Both students credit their tutors, David and Rosemary, for providing continuous guidance and support. “They’ve always been available to help us with questions and advice, which has made a real difference.”

Looking to the Future

With two successful events under their belt and glowing feedback from attendees, the duo is already planning their next Supercar Show, provisionally scheduled for August or September 2025.

Keep an eye out on our TNE Supercar Shows (@tne.supercarshows) as we will post information there as soon as it’s booked

Harrogate College’s hospitality students played a key supporting role in a high-pressure cook-off that saw four of the town’s most promising chefs compete for the prestigious Chef of the Year title.

Part of the 2025 Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards (HHTA), the event was held in the college’s professional-standard training kitchens and gave Harrogate College’s hospitality students the opportunity to support the event through logistics and food preparation.

They worked closely with the competitors – observing, assisting, and learning from the region’s culinary elite – gaining valuable insight into real world culinary environments.

The finalists were challenged to create two standout dishes – a refined amuse-bouche and an impressive main course – under the watchful eyes of industry judges and with just 90 minutes on the clock.

Adding to the challenge, the chefs had to work from a mystery box of ingredients revealed on the day, using only equipment provided on-site, with the exception of one personal item. To ensure a fair judging process, the competition was carried out blind, with dishes delivered to the judging panel anonymously.

Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, said: “We were absolutely delighted to host this year’s Chef of the Year cook-off. Not only was it a fantastic showcase of local culinary talent, but it also gave our students the chance to see the very best of the industry in action – right here on campus. Supporting the next generation of chefs and helping to raise the profile of hospitality in Harrogate is something we’re very proud to be part of.”

The event, designed to shine a spotlight on the exceptional hospitality talent in the region, forms part of the lead-up to the main awards evening on Monday 2 June, where the overall winner will be announced.

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and an advocate for the town’s famous hospitality and tourism sector, said: “Events like these provide a brilliant way to celebrate and champion the vital role hospitality plays in our local economy. The culinary skill and creativity on show is truly inspiring, and it’s great to see Harrogate College playing a central role in nurturing future talent.”

Harrogate’s Hospitality and Tourism Awards have been running now for 17 years to celebrate the best of the best that the town has to offer. With hospitality representing a central feature within Harrogate’s economy, these awards capture the imagination of all who work directly or indirectly in hospitality and tourism, as well as many of the general public who use the many bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes and other supporting attractions.

Simon Cotton, Organiser of Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards, said: “The Chef of the Year is one of the most prestigious of the 12 categories in the awards and is a very much sought-after accolade. Several years ago, with the help of Harrogate College, the competition stepped up a significant level, with the introduction of a blind cook-off in the college’s catering kitchens.

“Working with Harrogate College is an absolute pleasure and it is fantastic that their young student chefs work alongside the competitor chefs helping develop their own skills and hopefully inspiring the next generation.”

The cook-off highlighted the creativity, technical skill and passion that exist within Harrogate’s hospitality scene – offering a taste of what’s to come at the Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards in June.

Harrogate College held its first careers session in partnership with Harrogate Town AFC, welcoming young players from the club’s U14 to U16 Player Development Centre (PDC). The event aimed to inspire and inform these aspiring footballers about the many routes their passion for the game could take them, both on and off the pitch.

The evening opened with an engaging talk from Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, who drew on his background in elite sports coaching. His transition from sports to education leadership resonated particularly well with the young audience, demonstrating how skills developed in sport can open doors to a wide range of careers.

Brody Pattison, Harrogate Town’s content creator, followed with a unique and relatable perspective. Starting a YouTube channel at just 13, Brody carved out his own path into a role he now thrives in – showing that creativity and initiative can lead to exciting opportunities within the world of football.

Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town AFC, closed the speaker segment with an inspiring talk about her journey to becoming a chief executive. Her story, full of determination and resilience, offered a real-life example of where ambition and hard work can lead.

Practical guidance came from Anita, part of the college’s transitions team, who gave an overview of the various options available after GCSEs.

Her advice helped demystify the decision-making process and provided useful tips for choosing the right next step, whether that be A-levels, vocational courses, or apprenticeships.

Parents who attended the session shared glowing feedback. One, with two sons in the U15 group, said: “I found the talks really interesting. I wasn’t sure how my two lads would take it but both listened attentively throughout – this isn’t always the case! I’m keen for them to explore what they might do in the future and using one of their passions, football, was a good way of doing this. More of this please.”

Another commented, “The host and all the speakers were very good. I think if we’d had time to ‘mingle’ at the end, we’d have stayed and asked a few questions of each of the speakers. We’ll definitely be at the next one!”

A parent of a U14 player added, “The careers talk was very informative and gave the boys a wider perspective on the journey their love of football can take them. The speakers were passionate and gave the boys a good insight into the different paths careers can take and said the focus was ‘if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.’”

Jo Towler, Commercial Director at Harrogate Town AFC, praised the partnership, saying, “Harrogate College is a vital resource for the local educational and business community, and we appreciate their support for our club and the wider Harrogate District. Our collaboration on the recent careers session adds an important educational element to helping us inspire and develop young people in their future career choices and pathways.”

This session builds on two years of meaningful collaboration between Harrogate College and Harrogate Town AFC, with both organisations continuing to explore ways to support and inspire the next generation through the power of football.

Image credit: Brody Pattison

Three Canadian students have enjoyed a packed visit to Yorkshire as part of Harrogate College’s exciting new cultural exchange programme.

The students, from Nova Scotia Community College, were welcomed to the college where they met staff and students, took a tour of the campus, and even joined in with a business class taster session.

The visit was part of the return leg of the recent cultural exchange which saw a group of Harrogate College learners travel to Canada in March.

To give the visitors a flavour of local life, the day continued with a trip to Ripon – led by some of the students who had taken part in the Canadian adventure themselves.

Building global connections

Harrogate College’s Principal, Danny Wild, said:

“It’s been fantastic to host our visitors from Canada and show them some of the best of Yorkshire. The exchange programme is all about helping our students build new skills, broaden their horizons and create international connections – and it’s brilliant to see those aims being realised on both sides of the Atlantic.”

A big highlight for the Canadian students was how interactive and engaging the lessons were compared to the lecture-style format they were used to. They all spoke positively about the strong sense of community and collaboration at the college, and commented on how useful and relevant the curriculum-linked trips seemed in bringing classroom learning to life.

The cultural exchange programme is part of a wider commitment to offer learners enriching, real-world experiences that build confidence, independence and global awareness.

Following the success of this first exchange, the college is now exploring options for future international learning experiences.

For so many people, Level 3 qualifications represent a vital step towards their future career – but the range of options available can be baffling. With the government’s review of a proposed overhaul of these courses now complete, has the path become any clearer?

In the article below – which was published in the The Yorkshire Post – our Principal, Danny Wild, gives his answer.

For students and parents alike the sheer breadth of options available in post-16 education can be both exciting and a little overwhelming.

The previous government, in a bid to improve skills and employability while streamlining the system, began a wide-ranging reform of Level 3 qualifications which looked at everything from BTECs and T Levels, to A levels and apprenticeships.

The stated aim, to create “clearly defined academic and technical routes” for post-16 progression, was admirable. But the shake-up also carried real risks, not least through the proposed ending of hundreds of courses, including many BTECs; with the worry being that some learners could be left with nowhere to go.

So the current government’s decision to hold a review of the reform process, to end some of that uncertainty, was welcome. Now we have the outcomes of that review, what is the outlook for colleges like ours and prospective students?

Some certainty for students and colleges

The headline result is that no fewer than 157 of those originally under-threat qualifications will continue, at least for the next year or two. We also have assurances that the defunding of certain qualifications will be done in phases, to minimise disruption and allow for a more managed change.

Of equal importance is the government’s decision to leave the question of what combinations of qualifications education providers can offer to them. Its report, The outcomes of the Review of Qualifications Reform at Level 3 in England, states: “It should be for colleges and sixth forms to work with students to devise the best mix for each individual.”

That makes perfect sense as each area’s college is much better-placed than the Department for Education to know what skills-blend is actually needed by its local economy, and therefore its learners. Many colleges have spent decades building up strong working relationships with their region’s businesses and organisations, and sometimes formalised this process – as we have through Harrogate College Employers’ Network – to increase its effectiveness.

The value of collaboration

Doing so reaps all kinds of tangible benefits. For our students, for example, it has led to collaboration and work experience with respected organisations like RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Rudding Park and Techbuyer, to name a few. Our partnership with Harrogate District Hospital, meanwhile, has secured T Level placements, supported internships and a variety of apprenticeship opportunities.

And our business links also ensure a steady stream of fact-finding trips for our learners to places like Energy Oasis, Transdev Blazefield, top tier local restaurants and West Yorkshire Police’s training centre at Carr Gate Complex, while local businesses regularly visit our campus to share their expertise.

These kinds of experiences, the result of hard-won grassroots knowledge and years of networking, are mirrored in colleges across the country. So it is pleasing to see the government, in its findings, acknowledge the value of that.

Simplifying the options

The review report notes that: ‘Students and employers need a simpler range of high-quality qualifications, which provide them with the skills they need’. With funding set to be removed from more than 200 less popular courses, the simplification part of that ambition seems to have been at least partially accomplished.

The challenge has been to ‘trim away the fat’ while ensuring the courses that remain offer a valuable and accessible pathway for students of all kinds of ability levels.

That appears to have been achieved, as learners still have a rich and layered range of routes into their chosen career or next educational stage, outside of the traditional academic route of A levels-then-university.

From BTECs to T Levels – routes into industry and education

T Levels, which blend classroom learning with substantial industry placements, are the high-level technical option that the government is particularly keen to promote. It is easy to see their appeal: not only do they give learners a ‘head start’ and experience in their chosen field, but also – with each T Level being worth the equivalent of three A levels – offer an alternative path to university.

Alongside these exist a wide range of BTEC and other applied general technical qualifications which also support progression into work or higher education. These qualifications cover subjects ranging from electrical engineering, bricklaying and childcare to business and marketing, creative media and uniformed protective services. And then there are all the apprenticeship and internship options, which can provide direct routes into so many different kinds of jobs.

So, there’s still plenty to consider for those mulling over their next steps. The important thing for prospective students to remember is that teachers, careers advisers and colleges, across Yorkshire and the UK, are here to help them decide what will work best for them: the door is open.

We are pleased to share that we have been rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features following our recent Ofsted inspection. 

Our dedicated and highly skilled staff, along with our strong collaboration with regional stakeholders, were praised for designing education programmes that align with local employment needs.

We are especially proud of the report’s strong endorsement of our mission and positive influence within the college.

“Learners and apprentices are eager to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to be successful in their next steps. Adult learners benefit from access to a wide range of courses that meet their learning needs and the needs of local employers and the communities in which they live.”

This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering consistently high-quality, inclusive education that transforms lives and enriches the communities we serve.

For more details, visit Ofsted to read the full report.